U.S. patent application number 10/678764 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-20 for sacred geometry educational entertainment system.
Invention is credited to Fentress, Warren Scott.
Application Number | 20050014112 10/678764 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33313249 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050014112 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fentress, Warren Scott |
January 20, 2005 |
Sacred geometry educational entertainment system
Abstract
Methods, devices and systems for teaching, learning and
understanding sacred geometry concepts through magnetic modular
toys comprising a plurality of triangular modular members assembled
to form multidimensional hedrons and where in each triangular
member includes a magnet such that adjacent members have opposite
magnetic polarity facing each triangular member. Platonic solid
shapes with interior magnets to hold forms together for
construction of larger Platonic solids, geometry learning, and
puzzle solving skills. Multidimensional hedrons include simple and
small as ell as stellated tetrahedrons, octahedrons, icosahedrons
and dodecahedrons.
Inventors: |
Fentress, Warren Scott;
(Brookfield, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALTMAN & MARTIN
6 BEACON ST, STE 600
BOSTON
MA
02108
US
|
Family ID: |
33313249 |
Appl. No.: |
10/678764 |
Filed: |
October 6, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60445770 |
Apr 3, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
434/211 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09B 23/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
434/211 |
International
Class: |
G09B 023/02; A63H
033/04; G09B 023/04 |
Claims
1-20. (Cancelled)
21. A three-dimensional toy building block comprising: a. a
polyhedron with faces; b. each of said faces having one magnetic
region with a first polarity or a second polarity, and c. each of
said faces being a first color or a second color, said first color
corresponding to said first polarity and said second color
corresponding to said second polity.
22. The block of claim 21 wherein said magnetic region is cantered
in said face.
23. The block of claim 21 wherein said magnetic region is provided
by a magnet embedded in said face.
24. The block of claim 21 wherein said block is a platonic
solid.
25. The block of claim 21 wherein said block is a regular
tetrahedron.
26. The block of claim 25 wherein a first and second of said faces
are said first polarity and a third and fourth of said faces are
said second polarity.
27. A three dimensional toy building block comprising: a. a regular
tetrahedron with four faces; b. each of said faces having one
magnetic region provided by a magnet embedded in said face, said
magnetic region being centered in said face, said magnetic region
of a first and second of said faces having a first polarity, and
said magnetic region of a third and fourth of said faces having a
second polarity; and c. said first face and said second face being
a first color and said third face and said fourth face being a
second color, whereby said first color corresponds to said first
polarity and said second color corresponds to said second polarity.
Description
RELATED DOCUMENT
[0001] This application is based on provisional application Ser.
No. 60/445,770 filed Feb. 10, 2003 then entitled, "Sacred Geometry
Devices" by the same inventor and the applicant hereby claims
priority there from.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This invention relates generally to sacred geometry. More
particularly it relates to methods, devices and systems for
teaching, learning and understanding sacred geometry concepts. Even
more particularly sacred geometry devices of this invention
comprise magnetic learning toys.
[0003] The Problem
[0004] The problem with prior art sacred geometry devices is that
they are not suitable for teaching abstract concepts in an
entertaining and student friendly manner. Prior art toys and
devices are not holistic as they do not involve and benefit body
mind and spirit of children and adults both indoors and outdoors.
Problems with prior games and toys can be categorized into the
following:
[0005] a) Not suitable for abstract concepts
[0006] b) Challenging to children or adults but not both
[0007] c) Not cost effective, Not entertaining.
[0008] d) Do not harmonize with the environment.
[0009] e) Do not totally engage or involve the students
[0010] f) Educational or entertaining but seldom both.
[0011] g) Not student friendly, nor conducive to self teaching.
SUMMARY
[0012] Sacred Geometry is the description given to the properties
of systems that maintain the relationship of the circle to the
triangle, and the tetrahedron to the sphere, as well as spiral
functions like Fibonacci's number, the Golden section (PI and Phi
ratios) and fractal algorithms. It also includes the body of
Platonic solids and the principles of applied synergetics (from R.
Buckminster Fuller's work).
[0013] The invention described below is the application of the 4D
coordinate system defined by the tetrahedron of sacred geometry and
the recursion of self-similar forms from fractal mathematics to the
physical world in a toy product and a loudspeaker system.
PRIOR ART
[0014] A preliminary limited prior art search was conducted.
Furthermore the inventor is intimately familiar with the prior art.
Following are typical examples of the prior art known to the
applicant arranged in the ascending order of the reference numerals
for ready reference of the reader.
[0015] a) U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,936 B1 presented to Chizuko Kiribuchi
of Tokyo Japan on Aug. 13, 2002 for "Building Toy"
[0016] b) U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,872 issued to Albert Hall of Davie
Fla. on Oct. 27, 1998 for "Spherical Puzzle Game and Method"
[0017] c) U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,715 bestowed upon Randall Shedelbower
of Baldwin Mo. on Jul. 29, 1997 for "Geometric Toy"
[0018] d) Polydron Construction Toy based on '936 manufactured by
Polydron International Ltd, Kemble, Glos, England GL7 6BA PH:
1-800-452-9978 Web site:
http://www.polydron.co.uk/cgi-bin/index.cgi?currencv=dollars
[0019] e) Tetra Puzzle by Design Science Toys Web site:
[0020] http://www.dstovs.com/TR.html
[0021] f) Roger's Connection by design science Toys
[0022] Web site: http://www.dstoys.com/RC.html
[0023] None of the prior art devices known to the applicant or his
attorney disclose the EXACT embodiment of this inventor that
constitutes a simple, elegant, quick, convenient, affordable and
fun toy for teaching, learning and understanding sacred geometry
concepts.
[0024] Objectives
[0025] Unfortunately none of the prior art devices singly or even
in combination provide for all of the objectives as established by
the inventor for this system as enumerated below.
[0026] 1. It is an objective of this invention to provide methods,
devices and systems for teaching, learning and understanding sacred
geometry concepts.
[0027] 2. Another objective of this invention is to provide a game
that involves engages and challenges both children and adults.
[0028] 3. Another objective of this game is that it be suitable for
playing indoors as well as out doors.
[0029] 4. Another objective of this game is that it be both
educational and entertaining.
[0030] 5. Another objective of this game is that it be aesthetic
and elegant design that integrates harmoniously with any
environment.
[0031] 6. Another objective of this game is that it be holistic to
involve and benefit body, mind and spirit.
[0032] 7. Another objective of this invention is that it be student
friendly and self teachable.
[0033] 8. Another objective of this game is that its use is quick,
simple, convenient and easy.
[0034] 9. Another objective of this invention is that it be
suitable for all types of users in all types of weather
conditions.
[0035] 10. Another objective of this invention is that the devices,
processes and system of this invention be portable.
[0036] 11. Another objective of this invention is that its design
is simple and even elegant.
[0037] 12. Another objective of this invention is that its use is
intuitive which requires no further training.
[0038] 13. Another objective of the game of this invention is that
it be capable of multiple uses.
[0039] 14. Another objective of this invention is that it use
little or no additional energy.
[0040] 15. Another objective of this invention is that the
invention use modular standard components easily interface-able
transportable and storable.
[0041] 16. Another objective of this invention is that it be
reliable such that it practically never fails and requires little
or no maintenance.
[0042] 17. Another objective of this invention is that it be
environmentally friendly and use biodegrade materials to the extent
practical.
[0043] 18. Another objective of this invention is that it be
physically safe in normal environment as well as accidental
situations.
[0044] 19. Another objective of this invention is that it be long
lasting made from durable material.
[0045] 20. Another objective of this invention is that it meet all
federal, state, local and other private standards guidelines,
regulations and recommendations with respect to safety,
environment, energy consumption.
[0046] 21. Another objective of this invention is that it not
compromise the safety or the comfort of the user.
[0047] 22. Another objective of this invention is that it be
suitable for gift giving.
[0048] 23. Another objective of this invention is that it be
suitable for promotional give always complete with message of the
sponsor such as a union, casino or charitable organization.
[0049] 24. Another objective of this invention is that it be
capable of teaching sacred geometry concepts in two and three
dimensions.
[0050] 25. Other objectives of this invention reside in its
simplicity, elegance of design, ease of manufacture, service and
use and even aesthetics as will become apparent from the following
brief description of the drawings and the detailed description of
the concept embodiment.
[0051] Unfortunately none of the prior art devices singly or even
in combination provide all of the features established by the
inventor for this system e.g. to teach sacred geometry concepts in
2D and 3D in student friendly holistic manner that is safe cost
effective and fun.
[0052] Although there are toys on the market that embody elements
of Platonic solids and polyhedral forms, there are no Platonic
solids with colored, magnetized faces that are polarized in the
arrangement noted in this design. Since the pieces can be joined in
a limitless amount (along the lines of how Lego-brand building
blocks can be snapped together ad-infinitum), there is no end to
the imaginative possibilities one might discover.
[0053] Since the magnets are embedded, the faces will be able to
join smoothly and rotate around one another, which provides
ease-of-use for the task of aligning the colored faces. The only
similarity to prior art inventions is the use of magnets for
joining construction elements, and in the general polyhedron
shapes--there are no products that use a solid plastic,
polarity-colored shape and embedded magnets.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0054] a) FIG. 1 shows an isometric 3D view of a tetrahedron with
magnets of alternate polarity on adjacent members.
[0055] b) FIG. 2 shows an isometric 3D view of a modular
tetrahedron with magnets of alternate polarity on adjacent
members.
[0056] c) FIG. 3 shows plan view of the four dimensional coordinate
system.
[0057] d) FIG. 4 shows various forms of mono and dipyramids.
[0058] e) FIG. 5A shows a small octahedron and FIG. 5B shows a
large octahedron and FIG. 5C shows a Stellated octahedron.
[0059] f) FIG. 6A shows an Icosahedron and FIG. 6B shows a
stellated Icosahedron.
[0060] g) FIG. 7A shows a Dodecahedron and FIG. 7B shows a
stellated dodecahedron.
[0061] h) FIG. 8A shows a front plan view of an assembled
configuration inside a transparent sphere.
[0062] i) FIG. 8B shows front plan view of an assembled humanoid
toy configuration
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0063] As shown in the drawings wherein like numerals represent
like parts throughout the several views, there is generally
disclosed in FIG. 1 an isometric 3D view of a tetrahedron with
magnets of alternate polarity 151, 152 on adjacent members 150.
[0064] FIG. 2 shows an isometric 3D view of a modular tetrahedron
with magnets of alternate polarity 251, 252 on adjacent members
250. There is no theoretical limit to the size of the tetrahedron
but of course there are practical limits of logistics.
[0065] FIG. 3 shows plan view of the four dimensional coordinate
system. Through the application of a 4D tetra system, which is a
planar coordinate system based on a regular tetrahedron (see
diagram below), systems can be constructed that follow natural
principles.
[0066] The tetrahedron is a planar approximation of a sphere with
the minimum number of faces. Devices that require spherical output
through rectilinear transducers can use the tetra system to achieve
the desired result.
[0067] Another quality of the tetrahedron and sacred geometry is in
the repeating patterns of symmetry found as the Platonic solids are
joined. This property is the three-dimensional equivalent of
fractal mathematics where self-similar structures are multiplied to
produce computer graphics.
[0068] In the natural world, solids are manifested through the
recursion of the basic sacred geometry forms. These forms are
polarized, which determines how the fundamental forms (tetrahedron,
pyramid, Platonic solids) may be joined to produce larger similar
structures.
[0069] Instead of the tetrahedron, pyramids may be assembled from
the same basic triangular members. Examples of pyramids include
square, pentagonal hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal etc.
[0070] FIG. 4 shows various forms of mono and dipyramids 400. These
forms become the primary building blocks, which can be combined to
form other Platonic and Johnson Solids, including the stellated
variations.
[0071] Included in FIG. 4 are Square Pyramid (410), Pentagonal
Pyramid (420) Hexagonal pyramid (430) Heptagonal pyramid (440)
Octagonal pyramid (450) Triangular Dipyramid (460) and Pentagonal
Dypyramid (470) FIG. 5A shows a small octahedron 510 which in turn
comprises a pair of tetrahedron 550 or square pyramids 410 and FIG.
5B shows a large octahedron 520 which comprises plurality of pieces
or blocks 550 disclosed earlier and FIG. 5C shows a Stellated
octahedron 530 also made from smaller and modular blocks 550
disclosed.
[0072] FIG. 6A shows an Icosahedron 610 and FIG. 6B shows a
stellated Icosahedron 620. Likewise FIG. 7A shows a Dodecahedron
710 and FIG. 7B shows a stellated dodecahedron 720. FIG. 8A shows a
front plan view of an assembled configuration comprising plurality
of elements 812 disclosed earlier, housed inside a transparent
sphere 815 which in turn comprises two transparent hemispheres 815A
& 815B. FIG. 8B shows front plan view of an assembled humanoid
toy configuration 820 comprising plurality of other elements such
as head 420, arms 100, upper body member 430, lower body member 805
and legs and feet 150.
[0073] Assembly Use and Operation
[0074] The manufacturing, assembly and use of this invention is
very simple even intuitive. The toy is a set of basic building
blocks that follow principles of sacred geometry. The toy is
comprised of Platonic solids with colored, magnetized faces with a
specific polarity so that the various solids may be joined together
to form more complex shapes and color patterns. As the shapes
combine to create larger related forms, the relationship between
the basic geometrical forms and the bipolar forces needed to hold
the objects in each configuration provide a learning experience of
spatial visualization, problem solving, iteration, and
symmetry.
[0075] The toy is designed to teach the concepts of polyhedra, the
Johnson and Platonic solids, Sacred Geometry, pattern recognition,
polarity and symmetry. Through visualization and tactile
exploration, the pieces are assembled to match existing shapes, or
to find new arrangements. For the puzzle attribute, the goal is to
align the pieces in such a way as to obtain symmetrical alternating
color patterns (shown in the pictures above).
[0076] In the preferred embodiment the inventor employed toy
members approximately 2" on a side, making it easy to manipulate
even for young children. The sensation of two pieces snapping
together from the magnetic attraction provides sensory feedback,
fascination and amusement.
[0077] In the best mode preferred embodiment the inventor made the
parts by embedding neodymium disk magnets in injection molded
parts.
[0078] The Basic Solids include polyhedra from the Platonic Solids.
The basic shapes that are part of the Toy include the regular
tetrahedron, pyramid, pentagonal pyramid, hexagonal pyramid and
heptagonal pyramid. All members are modular such that two large
tetrahedrons may be joined back to back to form one large
octahedron.
[0079] The inventor has given a non-limiting description of the
drop case rapid weapon deployment system of this invention. Due to
the simplicity and elegance of the design of this invention
designing around it is very difficult if not impossible.
Nonetheless many changes may be made to this design without
deviating from the spirit of this invention. Examples of such
contemplated variations include the following:
[0080] 1. The shape and size and quantity of the various members
and components may be modified.
[0081] 2. The color, aesthetics and materials may be enhanced or
varied.
[0082] 3. Different educational graphic may be selected for
learning and teaching different substantive subjects through this
medium of instruction.
[0083] 4. Additional complimentary and complementary functions and
features may be added.
[0084] 5. A more economical version of the game be adapted.
[0085] 6. An audio-visual computer software version of the game may
be employed.
[0086] 7. Additional educational content may be imparted on the
faces of the hedrons.
[0087] 8. Devices such as lights, speakers etc may be added in
hedrons for special effects.
[0088] 9. The fastener means may be modified. For example One might
also construct similar pieces through the use of foam core with
affixed magnets.
[0089] 10. Another alternative is to use polarized solid state
connectors instead of magnets, like Velcro `hooks and rings`, or a
snap connector with a male/female plug.
[0090] NOTE: The Velcro doesn't have the rotation capability of the
magnets, but a swivel device could be added to address that.
[0091] Thus the game is not limited to a single toy shape or
tetrahedron. The shapes can be substituted for colors, numbers,
letters, animal figures, images, patterns and more. It can have a
version where it is played in the swimming pool and at night where
glow in the dark material or other illuminating devices are used.
For added enhancement color lights and even motion may be added.
This game can also have a software program version where the user
can have the ability to customize the images to be used on the
game. Thus it can not only teach sacred geometry concepts but also
other substantive knowledge in almost any medium of
instruction.
[0092] Other changes such as aesthetics and substitution of newer
materials as they become available, which substantially perform the
same function in substantially the same manner with substantially
the same result without deviating from the spirit of the invention
may be made.
[0093] Following is a listing of the components used in the best
mode preferred embodiment and the alternate embodiments for use
with OEM as well as retrofit markets. For the ready reference of
the reader the reference numerals have been arranged in ascending
numerical order.
1 100 = Tetrahedron generally 150 = Triangular member of a
tetrahedron 151 = Magnet of negative or south pole facing the
triangular member 152 = Magnet of positive or south pole facing the
triangular member 200 = large modular tetrahedron generally 250 =
Large modular tetrahedron triangular member, wherein adjacent
triangular members bear opposite magnetic polarity. 251 = Magnet of
first polarity 252 = Magnet of second polarity. 300 = 4D coordinate
system generally 310 = X (1.sup.st) Axis of 4D coordinate system
320 = Y (2.sup.nd) Axis of 4D coordinate system 330 = Z (3.sup.rd)
Axis of 4D coordinate system 340 = W (4.sup.th) Axis of 4D
coordinate system 400 = Modular pyramids generally 410 = Square
Pyramid 420 = Pentagonal Pyramid 430 = Hexagonal pyramid 440 =
Heptagonal pyramid 450 = Octagonal pyramid 460 = Triangular
Dipyramid 470 = Pentagonal Dypyramid 500 = Octahedrons generally
510 = Simple & smallest basic Octahedron 520 = Large octahedron
530 = Stellated octahedron 550 = Triangular members of octahedron
600 = Icosahedron generally 610 = Simple & smallest basic
Icosahedron 620 = Stellated Icosahedron 700 = Dodecahedron
generally 710 = Simple & smallest basic dodecahedron 720 =
Stellated dodecahedron 805 = Humanoid lower body 810 = Toy TOP in a
transparent sphere 812 = Symmetrical half section of toy TOP 815 =
Transparent hemisphere 820 = Humanoid
[0094] Definitions and Acronyms
[0095] A great care has been taken to use words with their
conventional dictionary definitions. Following definitions are
included here for clarification.
2 3D = Three Dimensional 4D = Four Dimensional DIY = Do It Yourself
Holistic = Engaging body, brain and soul. Integrated = Combination
of two entities to act like one Interface = Junction between two
dissimilar entities Octahedron = Eight sided hedron Icosahedron =
Ten sided embodiment Dodecahedron = Twelve sided object OEM =
Original Equipment Manufacturer
[0096] While this invention has been described with reference to
illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be
construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and
combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other
embodiments of the invention will be apparent to a person of
average skill in the art upon reference to this description. It is
therefore contemplated that the appended claim(s) cover any such
modifications, embodiments as fall within the true scope of this
invention.
* * * * *
References